The Tab Guide to Vacuum Tube Audio: Understanding and Buildithe Tab Guide to Vacuum Tube Audio: Understanding and Building Tube Amps Ng Tube Amps

Preface
Acknowledgments
Before We Get Started
CHAPTER 1 An Overview of Vacuum Tube Audio Applications
The Evolution of Analog Audio
	Technology Waves
Tube vs. Solid State
	Engineering Tradeoffs
Continuing Development of Vacuum Tubes
	Standardization
	Nomenclature
Fundamental Electrical Principles Reviewed
	The Atom
	Magnetic Effects
	Conductors and Insulators
	Direct Current (DC)
	Alternating Current (AC)
	Electronic Circuits
	Static Electricity
	Magnetism
	Electromagnetic-Radiation Spectrum
	Audio Spectrum
	Decibel Measurement
	Dimensions of Hearing
CHAPTER 2 Passive Circuit Components
Resistors
	Wire-Wound Resistor
	Metal Film Resistor
	Carbon Film Resistor
	Carbon Composition Resistor
	Control and Limiting Resistors
	Resistor Networks
	Adjustable Resistors
	Attenuators
Capacitors
	Polarized Capacitors
	Nonpolarized Capacitors
	Polarized Capacitor Types and Construction
	Identification
Inductors and Transformers
	Losses in Inductors and Transformers
	Air-Core Inductors
	Ferromagnetic Cores
	Shielding
Diodes and Rectifiers
	The pn Junction
	Zener Diodes and Reverse Breakdown
	Varistor
Indicators
Electrical Conductors
	Effects of Inductance
	Skin Effect
	Coaxial Cable
	Cables for Audio Applications
CHAPTER 3 Vacuum Tube Principles
Characteristics of Electrons
	Electron Optics
	Magnetic Field Effects
	Thermal Emission from Metals
	Secondary Emission
Types of Vacuum Tubes
	Diode
	Triode
	Tetrode
	Pentode
	Beam Power Tube
Vacuum Tube Structure
	Vacuum Tube Design
	Tube Elements
	High-Frequency Operating Limits
	Tube Assembly
Neutralization
Electron Tube Characteristics
	Interpretation of Tube Data
	Tube Pinout
CHAPTER 4 Vacuum Tube Circuits
Amplifier Types
	Operating Class
	Class A Voltage Amplifier
	Class A Power Amplifier
	Class AB Power Amplifier
	Class B Power Amplifier
	Cathode-Drive Circuits
	Phase Inverter
	Inverse Feedback
	Corrective Filter
	Tone Control
	Volume Control
Noise in Electronic Devices
	Thermal Noise
	Hum
	Microphonics
	Shielding
High-Voltage Power Supplies
	Silicon Rectifier
	Rectifier Tube
	Power Supply Filter Circuits
	Grid Voltage
	Screen Voltage Supply
	Supply Decoupling
	Protection Measures
CHAPTER 5 Interconnection, Layout, and Operating Environment
Wiring Practices
	Types of Noise
	Interfaces
Physical Layout Considerations
	Hand-Wired or PWB?
	Chassis
	Thermal Properties
Reliability Considerations
	Failure Mechanisms
	Failure Modes
	Vacuum Tube Life
	Fault Protection
	Thermal Cycling
	Shipping and Storing Vacuum Tubes
CHAPTER 6 Construction Project Considerations
Planning the Project
	Finding the Necessary Parts
	Sheet Metal Work
	Printed Wiring Boards
Tools
	Soldering
	Contact Cleaner/Lubricants
Test Equipment and Troubleshooting
	Digital Multimeter
	Signal Generator
	Frequency Counter
	Signal Tracer
	Distortion Analyzer
	Oscilloscope
	Tube Tester
	Power Supplies
	Troubleshooting Guidelines
Safety Considerations
	Electric Shock
	First Aid Procedures
	Protective Eyewear
Parts List
CHAPTER 7 Tube Characteristics
5BC3A
6EU7
6U8A
6X4
5651A
5751
5879
6080
6973
7025 (12AX7)
7199
7868
Application Considerations
CHAPTER 8 Project 1: Power Supply
Circuit Description
	Parts List
Construction Considerations
	DC Return Path Issue
	R9 Voltage Adjust Issue
	Initial Checkout
	Measured Performance
Final Power Supply Design
	PWB Design
CHAPTER 9 Project 2: Audio Preamplifiers
Phonograph Preamp
	Parts List
Microphone Preamp
	Parts List
Tone Control Amplifier
	Parts List
Buffer Amplifier
	Parts List
Construction Considerations
	Initial Checkout
Measured Performance
	RIAA Equalization
Final Preamplifier Design
	PWB Design
CHAPTER 10 Project 3: 15 W Audio Power Amplifier
Circuit Description
	Parts List
Construction Considerations
	Initial Checkout
Measured Performance
Final Power Amplifier Design
	PWB Design
CHAPTER 11 project 4: 30 W Audio Power Amplifier
Circuit Description
	Parts List
Construction Considerations
	Initial Checkout
	Measured Performance
	Circuit Assessment
Final Power Amplifier Design
	PWB Design
CHAPTER 12 Putting It All Together
The Big Picture
Stereo Preamplifier
	Measured Performance
25 W Stereo Amplifier
	Measured Performance
50 W Stereo Power Amplifier
	Measured Performance
	About the Specifications
Connections
Speakers
Duty Cycle
Build or Rebuild?
CHAPTER 13 Final Thoughts
VacuumTubeAudio.info
APPENDIX Notes and References
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Index